Keith Hill says he doesn't feel any pressure to keep Tranmere's promotion charge on course, as they prepare for the visit of Mansfield Town to Prenton Park this Saturday.

Rovers currently lie fourth in the League Two table, level on points with third-placed Forest Green and just three points off the top, but missed the opportunity to break into the automatic promotions places on Tuesday evening, when they could only draw against struggling Colchester United.

It was a similar story six days earlier, when Tranmere only collected a point against relegation candidates Grimsby Town, but he believes he has enough in his tiring squad to get the job done.

Speaking at his weekly pre-match press conference via video call, he said: "The two away games have been very difficult. One coming off the back of Wembley, travelling overnight again and then obviously the long trip to Colchester.

"It's as much about the mental psychology of fitness, recovery, rest and getting back in bed at probably 4am on Wednesday morning.

"People who've played football - there's games when you look at it and you say is this a game too far?

"Is it just too far out of reach in terms of mental and physical fatigue? But I thought our response on Tuesday night was incredible.

"Games change in moments. Paul Lewis had a great opportunity for us to go in front and who knows what would have happened? But the facts of the matter is it was two each and we've salvaged a point from a losing situation, which I think is extremely brave of the players.

"They could have folded, but they went again. I've watched it back and Colchester were holding on. We just ran out of time."

Tired bodies is starting to become an issue for Tranmere's squad, as well as the other teams around them, but with only ten games to go and at least seven of the top teams jostling for the precious automatic promotion places, Hill knows that he will need to use all of his vast experience to ensure that Rovers' charge up the mountain does not fall off piste at a crucial moment.

He said: "This is the real business end. You've seen teams fold and collapse under a little bit of psychological pressure from the media and from the situation you've worked to get yourself in.

"But in an ideal world this is as good as it gets. We're asking the lads to enjoy it, not endure it. Don't take the pressures of the situation on and just play responsible but with flexibility. I trust the players.

"Do I want to rest players? The players don't want resting. But after every game we're getting one or two injuries or fatigues where there is a red flag and we're having to leave players out.

"But regardless of whatever team I select I feel we're always strong enough to get points from games.

"I never receive a kidney blow punch by failing to win a football match. Until those opportunities run out I find it hard to be scoreboard judgemental."

Rovers will be without right back Lee O'Connor follow his call up for international duty. Forward Kaiyne Woolery has been suffering with tonsillitis and is a doubt for Saturday.

Centre back George Ray, is expected to return however, after crashing into the front row of the Cowsheds stand against Exeter City last Saturday.

Hill has now been in the hotseat at Prenton Park for four months, and with the release of a new book by former Tranmere manager Micky Mellon, which talks about the importance of the first 100 days in the job of a new manager, the Globe asked Hill how he had found his first 100 days as the boss of Rovers.

He said: "I've really enjoyed it. As a manager you have to affect the group in a positive way.

"I've got a massive amount of respect for Micky and the book, but I don't believe in the first 100 days of football management. I don't think you get 100 days now. You're judged every 90 minutes.

"Football at this moment in time is so narrow minded. Everybody asks for a long term plan when you sit in an interview process.

"But realistically you're judged by 90 minutes. This is just the football world.

"I believe if you can put the right foundations in - if you get 100 days - then you can start working to a mid-term and a long-term future.

"But you have to first get past that 100 days, which is very difficult now in football."

Tranmere Rovers v Mansfield Town kicks off a 3pm on Saturday, March 27. Join the Globe's live match blog for regular in-game updates from Prenton Park.